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Prime Minster Gordon Brown has written a letter of condolence to grieving Caversham father Jim Alston.

Mr Alston wrote to both the Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Jack Straw expressing his concerns about sentencing guidelines and compensation paid by insurance companies to bereft parents following the death of his son.

Bobby Alston, 25, died on June 10, 2008, when his motorbike was hit by a car in Grazeley. Bozhidar Iliev, from Wokingham, was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for three years for causing death by dangerous driving.

In his letter, Mr Brown first apologised for the delay in his reply, saying he wanted to make sure he replied personally.

“Sarah and I wanted to send our deepest condolences on the death of your son Bobby. I know it must have been a tragedy for you and your family to lose your beloved son,” he wrote.

“I understand from the Justice Secretary Jack Straw that you will be meeting with him shortly which I am very pleased to hear and I hope you will be able to express the concerns you have raised directly with him.

“As you will understand I am unable to comment on individual cases but I do understand the pain you must be feeling.

“The government established the Independent Sentencing Guidelines Council in 2004, which I know you are aware of.

“This was set up to support consistent and effective sentencing.

“I have noted the points you raised regarding the sentencing of the man responsible for your son’s death and I hope that in your meeting with Jack Straw you will be able to discuss your ideas and those raised by your local Member of Parliament Rob Wilson.”